Reclining foldable shampoo chair for a bath

ABSTRACT

A reclining, foldable and adjustable chair and adjustable neck support for use in a bathtub or a shower stall for shampooing or dyeing hair. The shampoo chair has a seat member hingedly connected to a back member by adjustable hinge devices. An adjustable neck rest member is connected to the back member for supporting the user&#39;s neck; and the neck rest member is connected to the back member by adjusting rods, wherein each of the adjusting rods includes a ball joint for allowing the neck rest member to pivot, which allows the neck of the user to be in a more comfortable position while the user&#39;s hair is being washed or dyed. The neck rest member also includes a neck rest extension for extending the neck rest member in order to accommodate different size necks.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a reclining foldable chair for dyeing or shampooing hair in a bath. More particularly, the shampoo chair includes an adjustable padded neck rest, a shower spray head nozzle, multiple pockets/compartments for holding bottles of soap, shampoo, conditioners and hair dyes, as well as a towel rack for towels for drying the user's hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, shampooing or dyeing of one's hair by male and female participants may be performed over a sink or in a bath or shower. Also, in dyeing the hair, the user needs a second person to help, such that the user places his/her head over a sink or bathtub in a leaning-over position, where the second person dyes the user's hair. This position is not comfortable to the user. Also, it is not a good position for dyeing the hair most efficiently. When going to a hair salon for dyeing or shampooing an individual's hair, it is common to place the individual in a seated position, such that the individual leans his/her head back with water, dye and shampoo being applied to the individual's head. Although this is a typical position in hair salons for dyeing hair, in a user's home, this is typically not a position that is utilized.

There remains a need for a reclining foldable chair for dyeing or shampooing one's hair in a bath or shower. This shampoo chair would include an adjustable neck rest, a plurality of pockets/compartments for storing and holding bottles of soap, shampoos, conditioners, hair colorants and the like, and a towel rack for towels for drying the user's hair.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Hair washing apparatus, shampooing chairs and the like having various designs, configurations, structures and materials of construction have been generally disclosed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,662 to ANDERSON discloses a folding shampoo chair having padded back and seat portions. The padded shampoo chair includes hingedly connected seat and back portions and having storage recesses for retaining the legs of the chair when in the folded configurations. The shampoo chair also includes a combined shoulder and headrest that spans the top of the chair back which serves to support the hair of a user on the chair above a sink or basin during the shampooing operation. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the design, configuration and structure of a reclining foldable shampoo chair for a bathtub or shower stall of the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,948,197 to SANSING discloses a child shampooing chair which is designed to be located within a bathing area such as a conventional bathtub. The child shampooing chair includes a conventional seat and a conventional back section with the back section being tiltable relative to the seat section to assume various inclined positions relative thereto. The legs of the child shampooing chair are to be adjustable in height. There are armrests mounted on the side edges of the seat section which include recesses within which is to be located a container such as a bottle of shampoo. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the design, configuration and structure of a reclining foldable shampoo chair for a bathtub or shower stall of the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,052,084 to GILLESPIE discloses a portable shampoo bowl and chair. This apparatus is used for dispensing shampoos in cooperation with a counter-top sink. The shampoo chair includes a chair seat, with legs hingedly attached for movement between a first extended seat supporting position and a second, folded position for portability; a seat back hingedly attached to the chair seat for movement between an erect position and a folded, portable position. The shampoo chair also includes a bowl assembly with a drain adapted for being located over the counter-top sink and at least two extensible support members attached to the bowl at the underside thereof, for movement between a first bowl supporting position and a second portable position. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the design, configuration and structure for a reclining foldable shampoo chair for a bathtub or shower stall of the present invention.

None of the aforementioned prior art patents disclose or teach the specific design, configuration and structure of a reclining foldable and compact shampoo chair for a bathtub or shower stall of the present invention.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable reclining foldable shampoo chair for a bathtub that has an adjustable padded/cushioned neck rest, multiple pockets/compartments for holding bottles of soap, hair colorant, shampoo and hair conditioner, as well as a towel rack for towels for drying the user's hair.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable reclining foldable shampoo chair for use within a bathtub, or adjacent to the bathtub, such that the shampoo chair reclines over the bathtub, or within a shower stall.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable reclining foldable shampoo chair that opens and folds closed into a compact configuration and is easily stored in a closet or storage area when not in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable reclining foldable shampoo chair that adjustably supports the neck of the user up to the user's neckline.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable reclining foldable shampoo chair that has an adjustable and extendible neck rest to protect and support the neck, such that the neck rest should be sufficiently wide and strong enough to comfortably support the neck and head.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable reclining foldable shampoo chair that has a showerhead retractable hook being easily reachable by a right or left-handed user while sitting in the shampoo chair.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable reclining foldable shampoo chair that is rust-resistant and waterproof having aluminum and/or plastic component parts with washable back and seat components made from pliable plastics, Naugahyde® or other waterproof materials.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable reclining foldable shampoo chair that is easy to use and is sturdy and strong enough to support a user's weight of at least 280 pounds.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable reclining foldable shampoo chair that can be mass-produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by the consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a reclining, foldable and adjustable chair and adjustable neck support for use in a bathtub or a shower stall for shampooing or dyeing hair. The shampoo chair has a seat member hingedly connected to a back member by adjustable hinge devices. An adjustable neck rest member is connected to the back member for supporting the user's neck; and the neck rest member is connected to the back member by adjusting rods, wherein each of the adjusting rods includes a ball joint for allowing the neck rest member to pivot, which allows the neck of the user to be in a more comfortable position while the user's hair is being washed or dyed. The neck rest member also includes a neck rest extension for extending the neck rest member in order to accommodate different size necks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon the consideration of the following detailed description of the presently-preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable reclining foldable shampoo chair for a bathtub of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing all of the major component parts in an open and assembled configuration and in a non-operational mode;

FIG. 1A is an enlarged elevational view of the portable reclining foldable shampoo chair of the present invention showing a plurality of reclining notches on one of the reclining frame members for reclining the shampoo chair in a various reclining positions;

FIG. 1B is a schematic representation of the portable reclining foldable shampoo chair of the present invention showing the shampoo chair in multiple reclining positions thereof;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable reclining foldable shampoo chair of the present invention showing the shampoo chair in a compact, collapsed and closed configuration and in a non-operational mode;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the portable reclining foldable shampoo chair of the present invention showing the shampoo chair within a bathtub in a reclining position and in an operational mode by a user;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the portable reclining foldable shampoo chair of the present invention showing the shampoo chair adjacent to a bathtub in a reclining position and in an operational mode by a user;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the portable reclining foldable shampoo chair of the present invention showing an adjustable cushioned neck rest connected to a back of the shampoo chair movable from a first neck position to a second neck position; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the portable reclining foldable shampoo chair of the present invention showing the adjustable cushioned neck rest being in an operational mode by a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 10

The portable, reclining and foldable shampoo chair 10 and its component parts of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented in detail by FIGS. 1 through 7 of the patent drawings. The shampoo chair 10 is for use within a bathtub 12, or adjacent to the bathtub 12, such that the shampoo chair 10 reclines over the side 13 of the bathtub 12, or within a shower stall 14, wherein a user 16 can shampoo or dye his/her own hair 17 in the comfort of one's own bathroom 18, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings. It is understood that the user 16 can have a helper/assistant (not shown) giving the user 16 a shampoo or a hair dye using the shampoo chair 10. Additionally, the shampoo chair 10 is foldable from an open configuration C₁ (see FIG. 1) to a compact closed configuration C₂ (see FIG. 2) for ease of storage in a closet or under one's bed.

The shampoo chair 10 includes a frame housing 20 having a front leg frame section 22, a rear leg frame section 24, a pair of opposing connector strut frame section members 26 a and 26 b for connecting a back member 28 to the front leg frame section 22, respectively. Each of the connector strut frame members 26 a and 26 b include a slot opening 27 a and 27 b allowing the back member 28 to recline in a backward fashion. The back member 28 is hingedly connected to a seat member 30 by a hinge connector element 32. The frame housing 20 also includes a pair of padded arm rest members 34 a and 34 b, each being movably atached to first and second reclining frame members 36 a and 36 b, respectively. Each of the first and second reclining frame members 36 a and 36 b include a plurality of reclining notches 38 a, 38 b, 38 c and 38 d (see FIG. 1A) for reclining the shampoo chair 10 into reclining positions R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄, as shown in FIG. 1B. Also, the first and second reclining frame members 36 a and 36 b each include an upright notch 40 for positioning the shampoo chair 10 in an upright vertical position P_(UR), as shown in FIG. 1 of the patent drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the back member 28 of shampoo chair 10 is movable from an upright position P_(UR) to reclining positions R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄, accordingly. Reclining position R₁ has a reclining angle ra₁ of 15° from the upright vertical position P_(ur). Reclining position R₂ has a reclining angle ra₂ of 30° from the upright vertical position P_(ur). Reclining position R₃ has a reclining angle ra₃ of 45° from the upright vertical position P_(ur). Reclining position R₄ has a reclining angle ra₄ of 60° from the upright vertical position P_(ur). The upright vertical position P_(ur) has an upright angle ura of 90° (see FIG. 1B). Each of these reclining positions R₁ to R₄ gives the user 16 a variety of reclining positions to accommodate the user 16 when using the shampoo chair 10 within the bathtub 12, on the side 13 of the bathtub 12 or within a shower stall 14, as depicted in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 of the patent drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, back member 28 includes a mounting hook 48 for detachably holding a portable showerhead apparatus 50 thereto. Showerhead apparatus 50, as shown in FIG. 7, includes a showerhead housing 52 having a circular perimeter scalp massaging member 53 thereto for washing and massaging the user's hair 17, a showerhead member 54 having a plurality of water hole openings 55, a retaining ring 56 for attaching to mounting hook 48, a water setting dial member 57 having three water settings of low (L), medium (M) and high (H) thereon for regulating the amount of water sprayed on the user's hair 17. The showerhead apparatus 50 also includes a shower tube extension 62 having a first end 64 and a second end 66, such that the first end 64 is connected to an inlet opening member 58 on showerhead housing 52 and the second end 66 is connected to a quick connect release member 68. The quick release member 68 is detachably connected to a standard shower outlet pipe 15 after the standard showerhead member (not shown) is removed.

The back member 28 further includes an adjustable and padded neck rest member 70 (see FIG. 6) for protecting and supporting the user's neck 16 n without pressing onto the sides of the user's neck 16 n. The neck rest member 70 is substantially square-shaped (but can also be round or oval) and is detachably connected to an upper section 29 of back member 28 by a pair of vertically adjusting rods 72 a and 72 b. Each of the adjusting rods 72 a and 72 b includes a ball joint 73 a and 73 b for also allowing the neck rest member 70 to pivot, which allows the neck 16 n of user 16 to be in a more comfortable position while the user's hair 17 is getting washed or dyed, as shown in FIG. 6. Neck rest member 70 also includes a neck rest extension member 74 for extending the neck rest member 70 in order to accommodate a longer neck 16 n of a user 16, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings.

Adjusting rods 72 a and 72 b move the neck rest member 70 from a first neck position P₁ to various second neck positions P₂ depending upon the height of the user 16. The adjusting rods 72 a and 72 b are self-adjusting to any height the user 16 needs for neck rest member 70. The padded and cushioned neck rest member 70 is at least three (3) inches wide and is strong enough to support the weight of the user's head 16 h, as depicted in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Additionally, back member 28 includes an attached lumbar pillow 80 to accommodate the lower back 16 b of the user 16 when reclining within the shampoo chair 10, as depicted in FIG. 6 of the drawings.

Arm rest member 34 b includes a plurality of bottle holders 42 a, 42 b and 42 c for holding hair colorant, hair conditioner, liquid soap and/or shampoo bottles 19 b therein, as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. Seat member 30 includes a hingedly connected towel rack 44 being attached to one side 31 of seat member 30, as shown in FIG. 1, for holding a towel 19 t thereon for drying the user's hair 17.

The frame housing 20 is made from rust-resistant and waterproof aluminum tubing or from stainless steel tubing. The neckrest, back member, seat members and armrest members 70, 28, 30, 34 a and 34 b, respectively, are made from workable, pliable plastic materials, Naugahyde® or other waterproof materials.

OPERATION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 2 to 5 of the drawings, the portable, reclining and foldable shampoo chair 10 operates in the following manner: the user 16 initially starts with the shampoo chair 10 in its closed compact configuration C₂ (see FIG. 2), where then user 16 then unfolds and opens the shampoo chair 10 to its open configuration C₁ (see FIG. 1). The user 16 now places the opened shampoo chair 10 in the user's bathroom 18 and then places the shampoo chair 10 for use within the bathtub 12 (see FIG. 3), or adjacent to the bathtub 12, such that shampoo chair 10 reclines over the bathtub side 13 of bathtub 12 (see FIG. 4), or within a shower stall 14, such that the user 16 can now recline the shampoo chair 10 to one of its reclining positions R₁, R₂, R₃ or R₄ for a comfortable position by the user 16 in the reclined shampoo chair 10, as shown in FIGS. 1B, 3,4 or 5. The user 16 can now adjust (if needed) the neck rest member 70 to a specific height depending upon the height of the user 16, and/or adjust (if needed) the neck rest extension member 74 to a specific neck length 16 n of the user 16, such that the user 16 adjusts the adjusting rods 72 a and 72 b (see FIG. 6), as well as adjusting member 70 about the ball joints 73 a and 73 b from a first neck position P₁ to a second neck position P₂ (or other positions) in order to provide a comfortable neck and head 16 n and 16 h support for user 16. Also, extension member 74 is adjusted, as needed.

If needed, the user 16 now removes the standard showerhead (not shown) from the standard shower outlet pipe 15, and then places and attaches the quick connect release member 68 to outlet pipe 15 in order to provide the showerhead apparatus 50 ready for use, where then the retaining ring 56 is detachably connected to mounting hook 48 for the convenience of user 16 in preparation for shampooing the user's hair 17, as depicted in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

In the last steps, the user 16 can place within bottle holders 42 a, 42 b and 42 c and/or 42 c the appropriate shampoo, conditioner and/or hair colorant bottles 19 b therein, as shown in FIG. 4. Also, a hand towel 19 t can be placed on the towel rack 44 for drying the user's hair 17. The user 16 is now ready to shampoo or dye his/her hair 17 in a relaxed, comfortable and convenient manner, as depicted in FIGS. 3 to 5 of the patent drawings.

After the shampooing or dyeing of the user's hair 17 is completed, the user simply removes the bottles 19 b from within the bottle holders 42 a, 42 b and 42 c, wipes the shampoo chair 10 dry and then collapses the shampoo chair 10 from its open configuration C₁ to its closed folded configuration C₂, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The shampoo chair 10 is then stored away until another use is needed.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Accordingly, an advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable reclining foldable shampoo chair for a bathtub that has an adjustable padded/cushioned neck rest, multiple pockets/compartments for holding bottles of soap, hair colorant, shampoo and hair conditioner, as well as a towel rack for towels for drying the user's hair.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable reclining foldable shampoo chair for use within a bathtub, or adjacent to the bathtub, such that the shampoo chair reclines over the bathtub, or within a shower stall.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable reclining foldable shampoo chair that opens and folds closed into a compact configuration and is easily stored in a closet or storage area when not in use.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable reclining foldable shampoo chair that adjustably supports the neck of the user up to the user's neckline.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable reclining foldable shampoo chair that has an adjustable and extendible neck rest to protect and support the neck, such that the neck rest should be sufficiently wide and strong enough to comfortably support the neck and head.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable reclining foldable shampoo chair that has a showerhead retractable hook being easily reachable by a right or left-handed user while sitting in the shampoo chair.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable reclining foldable shampoo chair that is rust-resistant and waterproof having aluminum and/or plastic component parts with washable back and seat components made from pliable plastics, Naugahyde® or other waterproof materials.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable reclining foldable shampoo chair that is easy to use and is sturdy and strong enough to support a user's weight of at least 280 pounds.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable reclining foldable shampoo chair that can be mass-produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by the consumer.

A latitude of modification, change, and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope and of the invention herein. 

1) A reclining, foldable and adjustable chair and adjustable neck support for use in a bathtub or a shower stall for shampooing or dyeing hair, comprising: a) a shampoo chair including a frame member having a front leg frame section, a rear leg frame section, a back member, and a pair of opposing side connector frame sections for connecting said back member to said front leg frame section; b) each of said side connector frame sections include means for allowing said back member to recline in multiple positions between a first vertical position and a second vertical position; c) a seat member is hingedly connected to said back member by adjustable hinge means; d) said frame member including a pair of arm rest members, each being movably connected to first and second reclining frame members, respectively; e) an adjustable neck rest member connected to said back member for supporting the user's neck; and f) said neck rest member being connected to said back member by adjusting rods, wherein each of said adjusting rods includes a ball joint for allowing said neck rest member to pivot, which allows the neck of the user to be in a more comfortable position while the user's hair is being washed or dyed. 2) A shampoo chair in accordance with claim 1, wherein said neck rest member including a neck rest extension member for extending said neck rest member in order to accommodate different size necks. 3) A shampoo chair in accordance with claim 1, wherein said shampoo chair is foldable from an open configuration to a compact closed configuration for ease of storage. 4) A shampoo chair in accordance with claim 1, wherein said back member is movable from a first upright position having an upright angle of 90°, to multiple reclining positions, including a first reclining position having a first reclining angle of 15°, a second reclining position having a second reclining angle of 30°; a third reclining position having a third reclining angle of 45°, and a fourth reclining position having a fourth reclining angle of 60°, for giving the user a plurality of said reclining positions to accommodate the user when using said shampoo chair. 5) A shampoo chair in accordance with claim 1, further including a plurality of reclining notches includes a first reclining notch for positioning said shampoo chair in a first reclining position, a second reclining notch for positioning said shampoo chair in a second reclining position; a third reclining notch for positioning said shampoo chair in a third reclining position; and a fourth reclining notch for positioning said shampoo chair in a fourth reclining position. 6) A shampoo chair in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said arm rest members is padded and cushioned. 7) A shampoo chair in accordance with claim 1, wherein said adjusting rods move said neck rest member from a first neck position to multiple second neck positions depending upon the height of the user; such that said adjusting rods may be adjusted to any height of the user when using said neck rest member. 8) A shampoo chair in accordance with claim 1, wherein said back member includes a lumbar pillow to accommodate the lower back of the user when reclining within said shampoo chair. 9) A shampoo chair in accordance with claim 1, wherein a side of said back member includes a mounting hook for detachably holding a portable showerhead apparatus. 10) A shampoo chair in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of said arm rest members include a plurality of container holders for holding containers of hair colorant, hair conditioner, liquid soap or liquid shampoo therein. 11) A shampoo chair in accordance with claim 1, wherein said seat member includes a towel rack being attached to said shampoo chair for holding a towel thereon. 12) A shampoo chair in accordance with claim 1, wherein said frame member is made from rust-resistant aluminum tubing or from stainless steel tubing. 13) A shampoo chair in accordance with claim 1, wherein said neck rest member, back member, seat member and arm rest members, respectively, are made from plastic materials, such as Naugahyde® or other waterproof materials. 